Call to reform coroners' powers

Shipman's case cast doubt on the role of coroners

Coroners could be stripped of their historic right to hear more controversial or complicated cases, a government committee has suggested.

Cases like that of mass-murderer Harold Shipman have called into question the effectiveness of coroners' courts in certain circumstances.

Neither the death certification nor the death investigation system meet the needs of a modern society

Tom Luce
Review group chairman

The Home Office's independent coroner review group has suggested either Crown Court or High Court judges should take over where cases are "exceptionally complex or contentious".

The group has also suggested that judges should be given new powers to hear appeals over coroners' decisions.

Traditional rulings open to coroners such as 'accidental death', 'natural causes' or 'misadventure' may need to replaced by "more considered" rulings.

Virtually unchanged

The existing inquest system is "obsolete and neglected", according to committee chairman Tom Luce.

"Neither the death certification nor the death investigation system meet the needs of a modern society - both need substantial reform," he said.

"We aim to recommend new systems for certifying and investigating deaths which serve the needs of the modern public, give bereaved families better rights, and provide the professionals with better support."

The way coroners courts operate has remained virtually unchanged since the 1920s.

The case of Greater Manchester GP Shipman, who was found by a judicial inquiry to have killed 215 patients over a 23-year period - raised questions about the inability to uncover the activities of such a prolific murderer.

Hand removal

Other cases that have caused concern include that of hospital nurse Beverley Allitt, who was convicted of killing four children in her care, and the handling of the 1989 Marchioness disaster.

In the latter case Westminster coroner Paul Knapman ordered the removal of victims' hands for identification purposes.

Among the suggestions raised in the review group's report is a proposal that coroners could be given the power to award damages where an individual's actions or negligence had led to a death.

The report also proposes that bereaved families could have clearer rights to request a post-mortem, if they wanted to know about the cause of a loved one's death.

Killer nurse Beverley Allitt's case shook public confidence

The Home Office group was appointed last year to oversee reform of the inquest system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Their consultation document suggests coroners could be appointed under "nationally agreed job descriptions".

It also argues that they should also have to undergo compulsory training.

Mr Luce said: "Our work has not shown grounds for a general lack of confidence in the professionalism or integrity of the people who work in the systems.

"They manage to give committed and compassionate service through obsolete and neglected structures.

"We are launching this consultation to help us recommend new and better arrangements for the future.

"None of the various ideas we put forward is set in stone."

Legal or medical

In England and Wales there are 138 coroners who must be from a legal or medical background.

They are helped by 240 deputy and assistant coroners.

In Northern Ireland there are a further seven coroners in Northern Ireland.

A spokesman for the Home Office said the consultation document was welcome and that ministers would respond after they had received a final report from the group next year.